Earthquake Victims Unearthed after 800 Years in Mazandaran

By Soudabeh Sadigh

Archeologists at the northern Iranian province of Mazandaran unearthed two skeletons in the vicinity of Resket tomb which further proves occurrence of a big earthquake in the region about a millennium ago.

Resket Tower, Mazandaran province

Tehran, 10 February 2007 (CHN) -- Recent discovery of two skeletons belonging to about 1000 years ago who were buried under piles of debris during their unsuccessful attempt to take shelter points to a massive earthquake which shook the region sometime during the Seljuk dynastic era (1037-1187 AD).

The discovery was made by a team of archeologists in the vicinity of Resket tower in the city of Farim, Iranian northern province of Mazandaran.

"Farim was a major Islamic city, which was well flourished during the Seljuk dynastic era. Historic evidence shows that the city was reduced to ashes two times in the course of history due to severe earthquakes that hit the area during the 5th and 13th centuries AD which resulted in migration of those who survived to other places. Discovery of two skeletons which were buried beneath piles of debris in the vicinity of Resket tower is another proof that such disastrous event happened in the area in the past," said Mehdi Abedini, head of the excavation team in the vicinity of Resket tower to CHN.

According to Abedini, evidence indicates that the skeletons must have belonged to two individuals who were buried while they were trying to take shelter when the earthquake hit. "Since the skeletons were discovered during the closing days of our excavations in the region, we covered them with soil again to pick up our excavations later and study the discovered skeletons," added Abedini.

Discovery of some architectural remains near Resket Tower including a great white castle-like monument is one of the other achievements of archeologists during the first season of excavations in the region. This white monument was decorated with unique friezes, parts of which have so far been discovered by archeologists.

"Most of the unearthed stucco decorations are engraved with phrases that are still not readable for us but a team of restoration experts in Resket tomb tower and Lajim research center are currently working on them," explained Abedini.

Experts of the research center for Resket and Lajim tomb monuments have been able to conduct some important research on these two historic tombs since the inception of the center last year.